7QTs on the Good Thief

The Good Thief vs 

Salvation by Faith Alone

Catholics and Protestants agree that the Good Thief, whom Catholics know as St. Dismas, was saved on the Cross.  But Protestants claim that he was saved by "faith alone".  They claim that St. Dismas could not have performed any good, meritorious works while hanging on the Cross beside Jesus.

Is that true?  Let's see.

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He suffered in the flesh.  Scripture says:

1 Peter 4:1

1 Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin;

Crucifixion is considered one of the most painful ways to die that man has ever invented.  And, as you can see, suffering in the flesh does away with sin.  Christ must have known that the Good Thief had expiated his sins by the suffering that he endured on that cross.

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He suffered with Jesus. Scripture says:

Romans 8:17King James Version (KJV)

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Who can deny that St. Dismas suffered with Christ?  There he was suffering on the cross right next to Him.  The only one any closer was Mary, His mother, who was spiritually suffering on the Cross with Jesus.

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He admonished the sinner.

 Do you remember that he reproved and rebuked the other criminal in defense of Jesus Christ?  Scripture again says:

1 Thessalonians 5:14 [Full Chapter]

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.

This is a spiritual good work of mercy in accordance with the Teaching of the Church:

2447 The works of mercy are charitable actions by which we come to the aid of our neighbor in his spiritual and bodily necessities. Instructing, advising, consoling, comforting are spiritual works of mercy, as are forgiving and bearing wrongs patiently. The corporal works of mercy consist especially in feeding the hungry, sheltering the homeless, clothing the naked, visiting the sick and imprisoned, and burying the dead. Among all these, giving alms to the poor is one of the chief witnesses to fraternal charity: it is also a work of justice pleasing to God: 

He who has two coats, let him share with him who has none and he who has food must do likewise. But give for alms those things which are within; and behold, everything is clean for you. If a brother or sister is ill-clad and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them, "Go in peace, be warmed and filled," without giving them the things needed for the body, what does it profit?

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He gave good witness. 

He openly confessed his faith in Jesus Christ, asking Him for salvation. 

Matthew 10:32King James Version (KJV)

32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.

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He converted the sinner.  

His words have, through the centuries, converted many to faith in Christ. I count myself amongst them whom his words and example helped to convert.  Do you know what happens to those who convert others to Christ?

James 5:20King James Version (KJV)

20 Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

He has saved his soul from death and his sins are forgiven.

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He received a special revelation.

Jesus is God.  And His word is effective.  So, EVEN IF St. Dismas had not performed the works which he performed from his cross. He would still go to heaven because the Catholic Church recognizes God's total authority. It is God, in the person of Jesus Christ, who told him that he would be saved. Therefore, St. Dismas would have been saved had he done nothing else.

The Council of Trent says:
CHAPTER XII
RASH PRESUMPTION OF PREDESTINATION IS TO BE AVOIDED

No one, moreover, so long as he lives this mortal life, ought in regard to the sacred mystery of divine predestination, so far presume as to state with absolute certainty that he is among the number of the predestined,[74] as if it were true that the one justified either cannot sin any more, or, if he does sin, that he ought to promise himself an assured repentance.

For except by special revelation, it cannot be known whom God has chosen to Himself.
When Jesus said to St. Dismas, "today, you shall be with me in paradise". That is recognized as a special revelation directly from God.

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Did the Good Thief produce good works?  

By all means!

Those who ask the question have a poor understanding of the nature of good works.  Certainly, feeding the hungry and clothing the naked are good and meritorious works of mercy which provide the creature comforts a person needs to survive.  But spiritual good works are also good and meritorious in the eyes of God.

Hanging upon that cross beside Jesus, it is as though the Good Thief was standing before Jesus Christ at the Judgement.  Jesus Christ judged the Good Thief according to his works which  he had done in the body and knowing that he believed, He counted it to him as righteousness.  Just as he does for all who, with the proper disposition of humility and faith, approach the Judgement Seat of Jesus Christ at the Sacraments.

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